Common use of DEATH BENEFIT PROVISIONS Clause in Contracts

DEATH BENEFIT PROVISIONS. Amount Payable The amount payable upon death is the Contract Upon Death Value as of the end of the Valuation Period following Our receipt of due proof of death, the return of this contract, and such other information We may require to process the death benefit. Payment of Death Benefits A death benefit will be paid to the beneficiary During Accumulation Period upon the death of the Owner. Upon the death of a joint Owner during the accumulation period, a death benefit will be paid to the surviving joint Owner. If the Contract Owner is a non-natural person, a death benefit will be paid to the beneficiary upon the death of an Annuitant prior to the Annuity Date. We will pay the death benefit to the beneficiary after We receive due proof of death, the return of this contract, and such other information we may require to process the death benefit. We will then have no further obligation under this contract. The entire interest in this contract must be distributed within five years from the date of death unless it is applied under an Annuity option or the spouse continues this contract as described below. The beneficiary may elect to have the death benefit distributed as stated in the Annuity Period Provisions Option 1 provided the beneficiary's life expectancy is not less than 10 years; or Options 2 or 3 as described in the Annuity Period Provisions of this contract, based on the life expectancy of the beneficiary as prescribed by federal regulations unless You have restricted the right to make such an election. The beneficiary must make this choice within 60 days of the time We receive due proof of death, and distributions must commence within one year of the death of death. If the beneficiary is a non-natural person, the beneficiary must elect that the entire death benefit be distributed within five years after the date of death. Spousal Continuation If this contract was issued as a Nonqualified Plan Contract or an Individual Retirement Annuity ("IRA") and Your spouse is the primary beneficiary when You die before the Annuity Date, Your spouse may elect to be the successor Owner of this contract. This is known as a Spousal Continuation. No more than one Spousal Continuation is available under this contract. Upon Spousal Continuation, Your surviving spouse waives claim to the death benefit otherwise payable; therefore, no death benefit will be payable upon Your death. Electing to continue this contract under the Spousal Continuation provision of this contract will affect how the charges and benefits under this contract, and applicable riders, are calculated or determined. A Spousal Continuation has the following impact on this contract:

DEATH BENEFIT PROVISIONS. Amount Payable The amount payable upon AMOUNT PAYABLE UPON DEATH We compute the death is the Contract Upon Death Value as of benefit at the end of the Valuation Period following Our our receipt of due proof of death, death and the return of this contract. If death occurs prior to attaining age 75, we will pay the greater of: a. the Contract Value; or b. the total amount of Purchase Payments, less the aggregate dollar amount of all previous withdrawals or c. the amount that would have been payable in the event of a full surrender. We will pay the larger of the Contract Value or the amount that would have been payable in the event of a full surrender if death occurs at age 75 or later. PAYMENT OF DEATH BENEFITS If an Owner or the last surviving annuitant dies while the contract is in effect and such other information We may require to process before the Annuity Date, we will pay a death benefit. Payment of Death Benefits A death benefit will be paid to the beneficiary During Accumulation Period upon the death of the Owner. Upon the death of a joint Owner during the accumulation period, a death benefit will be paid to the surviving joint Owner. If the Contract an Owner is a non-natural person, a death benefit will be paid to the beneficiary upon the death of an Annuitant prior to annuitant will be considered as the death of an Owner for purposes of this death benefit provision. If an annuitant dies after the Annuity Date, the death benefit, if any, will depend on the Annuity Option in effect. If an Owner dies after the Annuity Date, income payments will be made at least as rapidly as under the method of distribution being used as of the date of such death. We will pay the death benefit to the beneficiary after We when we receive due proof of death, the return of this contract, and such other information we may require to process the death benefit. We will then have no further obligation under this contract. When you die, we will pay the death benefit in a lump sum. The entire interest in this the contract must be distributed within five years from the date of death unless it is applied under an Annuity option Option or the spouse continues this the contract as described below. The DEATH BENEFIT PROVISIONS (CONTINUED) Instead of a lump sum payment the beneficiary may elect to have the death benefit distributed as stated in the Annuity Period Provisions Option 1 provided for a period not to exceed the beneficiary's life expectancy is not less than 10 yearsexpectancy; or Options 2 2, or 3 as described in the Annuity Period Provisions of this contract, based on upon the life expectancy of the beneficiary as prescribed by federal regulations unless You have restricted the right to make such an electionregulations. The beneficiary must make this choice within 60 sixty days of the time We we receive due proof of death, death and distributions distribution must commence within one year of the death date of death. If the beneficiary is not a non-natural person, the beneficiary must elect that the entire death benefit be distributed within five years after the date of your death. Spousal Continuation Distribution of the death benefit must start within one year after your death. It may start later if prescribed by federal regulations. If this contract was issued as a Nonqualified Plan Contract or an Individual Retirement Annuity ("IRA") and Your spouse is the primary beneficiary is the surviving spouse when You die before you die, the Annuity Date, Your surviving spouse may elect to be the successor Owner of this contract, in lieu of receiving a death benefit. This There will be no requirement to start a distribution of death benefits. ANNUITY PERIOD PROVISIONS ELECTION OF ANNUITY OPTION We must receive an election of Annuity option in writing. You may make an election before the Annuity Date providing the Annuitant is known alive. The Annuitant may make an election on the Annuity Date unless you have restricted the right to make such an election. The beneficiary may make an election when we pay the death benefit. An election will be revoked by 1. a subsequent change of beneficiary; or 2. an assignment of this contract unless the assignment provides otherwise. Subject to the terms of the death benefit provision, the beneficiary may elect to have the death benefit remain with us under one of the Annuity options. If an Annuity option is not elected, an Annuity will be paid under Option 3 for a guaranteed period of ten years and for as long thereafter as the Annuitant is alive. If the total Contract Value is applied under one of the Annuity options, this contract must be surrendered to us. An option cannot be changed after the first Annuity payment is made. If, on the seventh calendar day before the first Annuity payment due date, all the Contract Value is allocated to the Fixed Account or Guarantee Periods, the Annuity will be paid as a Spousal ContinuationFixed Annuity. No more The Fixed Annuity is funded in our General Account, which consists of our assets other than one Spousal Continuation those allocated to the Separate Account or any other separate account. If all of the Contract Value on such date is available under allocated to the Separate Account, the Annuity will be paid as a Variable Annuity. If the Contract Value on such date is allocated to both the Fixed Account or a Guarantee Period and a Subaccount, then the Annuity will be paid as a combination of a Fixed and a Variable Annuity. A Fixed and Variable Annuity payment will reflect the investment performance of the Subaccounts in accordance with the allocation of the Contract Values existing on such date. Allocations will not be changed thereafter, except as provided in the Transfers During the Annuity Period provision of this contract. Upon Spousal ContinuationPolicy Form No. L-8589 Page 15 Policy Form No. L-8589 Page 16 ANNUITY PERIOD PROVISIONS (CONTINUED) Payments for all options are derived from the applicable tables. Current Annuity rates will be used if they produce greater payments than those quoted in the contract. The age in the tables is the age of the payee on the last birthday before the first payment is due. We reserve the right to deduct one year from the age for each 10 calendar years that have elapsed since the year 2000. The option selected must result in a payment that is at least equal to our minimum payment, Your surviving spouse waives claim according to our rules, at the time the Annuity option is chosen. If at any time the payments are less than the minimum payment, we have the right to increase the period between payment to quarterly, semi-annual or annual so that the payment is at least equal to the minimum payment or to make payment in one lump sum. OPTION 1 SPECIFIED PERIOD We will make monthly payments for a fixed number of installments. Payments must be made for at least 5 years, but not more than 30 years. OPTION 2 LIFE ANNUITY We will make monthly payments while the payee is alive. OPTION 3 LIFE ANNUITY WITH We will make monthly payments for a INSTALLMENTS GUARANTEED guaranteed period and thereafter while the payee is alive. The guaranteed period must be selected at the time the Annuity option is chosen. The guaranteed periods available are 5, 10, 15 and 20 years. OPTION 4 JOINT AND SURVIVOR ANNUITY We will pay the full monthly income while both payees are alive. Upon the death benefit otherwise payable; thereforeof either payee, no death benefit we will continue to pay the surviving payee a percentage of the original monthly payment. The percentage payable to the surviving payee must be selected at the time the Annuity option is chosen. The percentages available are 50%, 66 2/3%, 75% and 100%. OTHER OPTIONS We may make other Annuity options available. Payments are also available on a quarterly, semi-annual or annual basis. FIXED ANNUITY The Contract Value allocated to the Fixed Account or the Guarantee Periods on the first day preceding the date on which the first Annuity Payment is due is first reduced by any premium taxes and charges that apply. The value that remains will be payable used to determine the Fixed Annuity monthly payment in accordance with the Annuity option selected. ANNUITY PERIOD PROVISIONS (CONTINUED) VARIABLE ANNUITY The Separate Account Contract Value, at the end of the Valuation period preceding the Valuation Period that includes the date on which the first Annuity payment is due, is first reduced by any Records Maintenance Charge, charges for other benefits if any that may be added by a rider to this Contract and any premium taxes that apply. The value that remains is used to determine the first monthly Annuity payment. The first monthly Annuity payment is based upon Your deaththe guaranteed Annuity option shown in the Annuity Option Table. Electing to continue this contract under You may elect any option available. The dollar amount of subsequent payments may increase or decrease depending on the Spousal Continuation provision investment experience of this contract each Subaccount. The number of Annuity Units per payment will affect how remain fixed for each Subaccount unless a transfer is made. If a transfer is made, the charges and benefits under this contractnumber of Annuity Units per payment will change. Some annuity options provide for a reduction in the income level upon the death of an annuitant, and applicable riders, are which will reduce the number of Annuity Units. The number of Annuity Units for each Subaccount is calculated or determined. A Spousal Continuation has the following impact on this contractby dividing a. by b. where:

DEATH BENEFIT PROVISIONS. Amount Payable The amount payable upon AMOUNT PAYABLE UPON DEATH We compute the death is the Contract Upon Death Value as of benefit at the end of the Valuation Period following Our our receipt of due proof of death, death and the return of this contractthe Certificate. If death occurs prior to attaining age 75, we will pay the greater of: a. the Certificate Value; or b. the total amount of Purchase Payments, less the aggregate dollar amount of all previous withdrawals or c. the amount that would have been payable in the event of a full surrender. We will pay the larger of the Certificate Value or the amount that would have been payable in the event of a full surrender if death occurs at age 75 or later. PAYMENT OF DEATH BENEFITS If a Certificate Owner or the last surviving annuitant dies while the Certificate is in effect and such other information We may require to process before the Annuity Date, we will pay a death benefit. Payment of Death Benefits A death benefit will be paid to the beneficiary During Accumulation Period upon the death of the Owner. Upon the death of If a joint Owner during the accumulation period, a death benefit will be paid to the surviving joint Owner. If the Contract Certificate Owner is a non-natural person, a death benefit will be paid to the beneficiary upon the death of an Annuitant prior to annuitant will be considered as the death of a Certificate Owner for purposes of this death benefit provision. If an annuitant dies after the Annuity Date, the death benefit, if any, will depend on the Annuity Option in effect. If a Certificate Owner dies after the Annuity Date, income payments will be made at least as rapidly as under the method of distribution being used as of the date of such death. We will pay the death benefit to the beneficiary after We when we receive due proof of death, the return of this contract, and such other information we may require to process the death benefit. We will then have no further obligation under this contractthe Certificate. DEATH BENEFIT PROVISIONS (CONTINUED) When the Certificate Owner dies, we will pay the death benefit in a lump sum. The entire interest in this contract the Certificate must be distributed within five years from the date of death unless it is applied under an Annuity option Option or the spouse continues this contract the Certificate as described below. The Instead of a lump sum payment the beneficiary may elect to have the death benefit distributed as stated in the Annuity Period Provisions Option 1 provided for a period not to exceed the beneficiary's life expectancy is not less than 10 yearsexpectancy; or Options 2 2, or 3 as described in the Annuity Period Provisions of this contract, based on upon the life expectancy of the beneficiary as prescribed by federal regulations unless You have restricted the right to make such an electionregulations. The beneficiary must make this choice within 60 sixty days of the time We we receive due proof of death, death and distributions distribution must commence within one year of the death date of death. If the beneficiary is not a non-natural person, the beneficiary must elect that the entire death benefit be distributed within five years after of the date of Certificate Owner's death. Spousal Continuation Distribution of the death benefit must start within one year after your death. It may start later if prescribed by federal regulations. If this contract was issued as a Nonqualified Plan Contract or an Individual Retirement Annuity ("IRA") and Your spouse is the primary beneficiary is the surviving spouse when You die before the Annuity DateCertificate Owner dies, Your the surviving spouse may elect to be the successor Certificate Owner of this contractthe Certificate, in lieu of receiving a death benefit. This There will be no requirement to start a distribution of death benefits. ANNUITY PERIOD PROVISIONS ELECTION OF ANNUITY OPTION We must receive an election of Annuity option in writing. The Certificate Owner may make an election before the Annuity Date providing the Annuitant is known as alive. The Annuitant may make an election on the Annuity Date unless the Certificate Owner has restricted the right to make such an election. The beneficiary may make an election when we pay the death benefit. An election will be revoked by 1. a Spousal Continuationsubsequent change of beneficiary; or 2. No more than one Spousal Continuation is available under this contractan assignment of the Certificate unless the assignment provides otherwise. Upon Spousal Continuation, Your surviving spouse waives claim Subject to the terms of the death benefit otherwise payable; thereforeprovision, no the beneficiary may elect to have the death benefit remain with us under one of the Annuity options. If an Annuity option is not elected, an Annuity will be payable upon Your deathpaid under Option 3 for a guaranteed period of ten years and for as long thereafter as the Annuitant is alive. Electing If the total Certificate Value is applied under one of the Annuity options, the Certificate must be surrendered to continue this contract under us. An option cannot be changed after the Spousal Continuation first Annuity payment is made. If, on the seventh calendar day before the first Annuity payment due date, all the Certificate Value is allocated to the Fixed Account or Guarantee Periods, the Annuity will be paid as a Fixed Annuity. The Fixed Annuity is funded in our General Account, which consists of our assets other than those allocated to the Separate Account or any other separate account. If all of the Certificate Value on such date is allocated to the Separate Account, the Annuity will be paid as a Variable Annuity. If the Certificate Value on such date is allocated to both the Fixed Account or a Guarantee Period and a Subaccount, then the Annuity will be paid as a combination of a Fixed and a Variable Annuity. A Fixed and Variable Annuity payment will reflect the investment performance of the Subaccounts in accordance with the allocation of the Certificate Values existing on such date. Allocations will not be changed thereafter, except as provided in the Transfers During the Annuity Period provision of this contract the Certificate. ANNUITY PERIOD PROVISIONS (CONTINUED) Payments for all options are derived from the applicable tables. Current Annuity rates will affect how be used if they produce greater payments than those quoted in the Certificate. The age in the tables is the age of the payee on the last birthday before the first payment is due. We reserve the right to deduct one year from the age for each 10 calendar years that have elapsed since the year 2000. The option selected must result in a payment that is at least equal to our minimum payment, according to our rules, at the time the Annuity option is chosen. If at any time the payments are less than the minimum payment, we have the right to increase the period between payment to quarterly, semi-annual or annual so that the payment is at least equal to the minimum payment or to make payment in one lump sum. OPTION 1 SPECIFIED PERIOD We will make monthly payments for a fixed number of installments. Payments must be made for at least 5 years, but not more than 30 years. OPTION 2 LIFE ANNUITY We will make monthly payments while the payee is alive. OPTION 3 LIFE ANNUITY WITH We will make monthly payments for a guaranteed INSTALLMENTS GUARANTEED period and thereafter while the payee is alive. The guaranteed period must be selected at the time the Annuity option is chosen. The guaranteed periods available are 5, 10, 15 and 20 years. OPTION 4 JOINT AND SURVIVOR ANNUITY We will pay the full monthly income while both payees are alive. Upon the death of either payee, we will continue to pay the surviving payee a percentage of the original monthly payment. The percentage payable to the surviving payee must be selected at the time the Annuity option is chosen. The percentages available are 50%, 66 2/3%, 75% and 100%. OTHER OPTIONS We may make other Annuity options available. Payments are also available on a quarterly, semi-annual or annual basis. FIXED ANNUITY The Certificate Value allocated to the Fixed Account or the Guarantee Periods on the first day preceding the date on which the first Annuity Payment is due is first reduced by any premium taxes and charges and benefits under this contract, and applicable riders, are calculated or determinedthat apply. A Spousal Continuation has The value that remains will be used to determine the following impact on this contract:Fixed Annuity monthly payment in accordance with the Annuity option selected.

DEATH BENEFIT PROVISIONS. Amount Payable The amount payable upon death is the Contract Upon Death Value as of the end of the Valuation Period following Our receipt of due proof of death, the return of this contract, and such other information We may require to process the death benefit. Payment of Death Benefits A death benefit will be paid to the beneficiary Benefits During Accumulation Period upon the death of the Owner. Upon the death of a Accumulation joint Owner during the accumulation period, a Period death benefit will be paid to the surviving joint Owner. If the Contract Owner is a non-natural person, a death benefit will be paid to the beneficiary upon the death of an Annuitant prior to the Annuity Date. We will pay the death benefit to the beneficiary after We receive due proof of death, the return of this contract, and such other information we may require to process the death benefit. We will then have no further obligation under this contract. DEATH BENEFIT PROVISIONS (Continued) The entire interest in this contract must be distributed within five years from the date of death unless it is applied under an Annuity option or the spouse continues this contract as described below. The beneficiary may elect to have the death benefit distributed as stated in the Annuity Period Provisions Option 1 provided the beneficiary's life expectancy is not less than 10 years; or Options 2 or 3 as described in the Annuity Period Provisions of this contract, based on the life expectancy of the beneficiary as prescribed by federal regulations unless You have restricted the right to make such an election. The beneficiary must make this choice within 60 days of the time We receive due proof of death, and distributions must commence within one year of the death of death. If the beneficiary is a non-natural person, the beneficiary must elect that the entire death benefit be distributed within five years after the date of death. Spousal Continuation If this contract was issued as a Nonqualified Plan Contract or an Individual Retirement Annuity ("IRA") and Your spouse is the primary beneficiary when You die before the Annuity Date, Your spouse may elect to be the successor Owner of this contract. This is known as a Spousal Continuation. No more than one Spousal Continuation is available under this contract. Upon Spousal Continuation, Your surviving spouse waives claim to the death benefit otherwise payable; therefore, no death benefit will be payable upon Your death. Electing to continue this contract under the Spousal Continuation provision of this contract will affect how the charges and benefits under this contract, and applicable riders, are calculated or determined. A Spousal Continuation has the following impact on this contract: